Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. A person who, using an example from their own life, steers people away from a line of speculation by reducing it to an absurdity. v. To dismantle a logical argument with piles of passionate incoherence.
Verboticisms
Click on each verboticism to read the sentences created by the Verbotomy writers, and to see your voting options...
You have two votes. Click on the words to read the details, then vote your favorite.
Rationalbatross
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: ra shun al bit ross
Sentence: When Penelope asked her father, Gordie, for a computer (or anything that cost money), he had his usual rationalbatross excuse ready. On this occasion it was about the fact that when he was young, computers were a science fiction story, not reality. So he had to develop his super brainpower to get through all eight of his years of school. Of course, he then went into his old "I walked through five feet of snow for eight miles without boots or a winter coat, carrying a raw potato for my lunch at school, after I had milked the cows, fed the pigs and chickens and brought in a bucket of snow to melt for water" schtick.
Etymology: Rational (logical) & Albatross (figurative) something that hinders or handicaps)
Nostalgit
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation:
Sentence: dad was such a nostalgit it was difficult to believe he'd ever had lead in his pencil
Etymology: nostalgic cit
Abswervist
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: ab-swerve-ist
Sentence: The repertory group had come to be known as the Theatre of the Abswerve. Since Eugene, a playwright, kept banging on about his past productions, they could not settle on a script.
Etymology: absurd, swerve
Philosophistry
Created by: CharlieB
Pronunciation: fill-oh-sof-is-tree
Sentence: George Osbourne's sense of his place in the world was completely dement-Id. 'The bankers' failure should be rewarded with more perks, because they're from Eton and will do the right thing,' he rationa-lies-ed to the country.
Etymology: philsophy (system of personal beliefs) + sophistry (a false argument)
Anecdontalist
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: an-eck-dohn-tul-ist
Sentence: for every hair brained sceme i came up with, grandpa had a story that would convince me to forget about it...he was a master anecdontalist
Etymology: anecdote, don't
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COMMENTS:
Clever anecdote! I hope you had a doting grandma, to counter-balance your donting grandpa. - wordmeister, 2007-04-18: 02:54:00
could be a long anecdonta list - galwaywegian, 2007-04-18: 05:10:00
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Dissqualifighter
Created by: jonobo
Pronunciation: diss - qualify - fighter ;)
Sentence: My dad was the hardest Dissqualifighter in the field.
Etymology: Diss (disrespect) + Disqualify + fighter = Dissqualifighter
Wrang-wrang
Created by: vonnegut
Pronunciation: rang-rang
Sentence: There was a sign around my dead cat's neck. It said, "Meow." I have not seen Krebbs since. Nonetheless, I sense that he was my karass. If he was, he served it as a wrang-wrang.
Etymology: Created by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., for Cat's Cradle, published in 1963.
Nonsequinfer
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: non - SEC - win - fur
Sentence: When his daughter asked for a new computer and internet access Eldridge launched into a rambling, disjointed nonsequinfer based on his own life's experiences that not only left Lucretia disappointed and crying, but thoroughly confused as well.
Etymology: Blend of infer and non sequitur, 'an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the premise.'
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COMMENTS:
nice blend - Jabberwocky, 2008-06-25: 12:25:00
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Wrang-wrang
Created by: vonnegut
Pronunciation: rang-rang
Sentence: There was a sign around my dead cat's neck. It said, "Meow." I have not seen Krebbs since. Nonetheless, I sense that he was my karass. If he was, he served it as a wrang-wrang.
Etymology: Created by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., for Cat's Cradle, published in 1963.
Foolluminati
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: f-loo-muh-Nah-tee
Sentence: "Emily, this is Dad. I only have a minute, so listen closely. Do you have a pencil and paper at hand?'' "No, Dad, but I'm at my computer, so go ahead." "Quickly. Turn it off now and keep it off for at least a week, so the system doesn't overheat. Don't you remember what I told you about machines:treat them with care and they'll never wear out; that computer will still be working when you're a grandmother." Although others may have been deeply shocked by this kind of advice, Emily replied "Yes, I understand; no problem...Dad." By the time Emily had put the phone down, she had already made up her mind to leave it off-the-hook for the next week, although she knew that he would try to contact her by telegram. Thankfully, after all, he was busy at the "Quill and Abacus Restoration Society's" annual meeting, and would after be attending the "Gaslighter's Guild" for a few days. At least, she consoled herself, she would be free for a little while from the inanities of this fatherly foolluminati. (last try: Sillustrator)
Etymology: FOOL: a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense. IILLUMINATI: People, or person, claiming to be unusually enlightened with regard to a subject
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COMMENTS:
love the way this sounds - Jabberwocky, 2008-06-25: 12:24:00
LOVE that word AND the "sentence" is hilarious! :) - lumina, 2008-06-25: 12:58:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by vonnegut. Thank you vonnegut. ~ James